Dimensions of Dialogue (1982) Review

I like old things. Not because they are old but because they have witnessed certain emotions, certain situations, when people acted in highly emotionally charged situations. They touched these objects in these situations and charged them with their emotions. I collect these objects, use them as lead characters in my films and try to somehow evoke these sensual emotions in my films.- Jan Svankmajer

With any relationship, communication is vital. It is how we form or strengthen a connection. We talk about our wants, needs, and desires. We share our likes and dislikes, even opposing views. Facial expressions and body gestures serve us by showing how we feel.  Yet, if not careful, communication can be used as a means to tear down significant relationships and connections in ways beyond our imagination. Through his surrealist lens, Jan Svankmajer's Dimensions of Dialogue is an eye-opening and amusing short film that shows just how destructive communication can be in our world.

The film is broken up into three segments: 'Exhaustive Discussion', 'Passionate Discussion', and 'Factual Conversation'. In 'Exhaustive Discussion', we see three incredibly imaginative heads: one made of fruits & veggies, another made of office supplies, and one made of kitchen utensils. Each head devours and regurgitates the other over and over again while losing their individual essence in the process. Their heads shrink down as their vibrant colors fade. Apples are getting sliced by scissors, and broken plates being crushed by large books. In the end, they all become the same looking bland busts.

'Passionate Discussion' features a couple made of clay. The man and woman share a kiss and proceed to make love in a way that only Svankmajer can make it look beautiful through the magic of claymation. Once they finish, a small lump of clay appears between them. The couple tosses the clay back and forth, suggesting the other should keep it. Clearly, neither of them want anything to do with the tiny, bouncing baby lump of clay. Their affair is quickly short-lived as their passion turns to utter hate to the point they tear each limb from limb.

Lastly, 'Factual Conversation' is about two elderly male busts exchanging corresponding items with their disgusting tongues. One puts toothpaste on to the other's toothbrush. The other spread butter onto the other guy's slice of bread. All seems well until their conversation speeds up. Shoelaces get tied up on a pencil, a knife is sharpened by a pencil sharpener, and toothpaste oozes all over the shoe as the two men continue their spat. The two busts continue spitting out objects until they wear themselves out.

While each story is very funny, they also show a dark and bleak outlook on how people in society interact with one another. Both 'Exhaustive Discussion' and 'Factual Conversation' have a message that is more politically focused, whereas 'Passionate Discussion' is more about personal relationships.

In the first segment, Svankmajer could be referring to his oppressive experience while living in Communist Czechoslovakia. However, all the moving portraits can represent any society or social group trying to strip away a person's individuality, forcing them to conform with the rest of the group.  'Factual Conversation' can be seen as a discussion between two people who were once on good terms, sharing similar ideas, and meeting each other's needs. That is, until one disagrees with the other and the argument spirals out of control.

Nonetheless, both stories speak to Svankmajer's fascination with objects, and if you know your art history, the artwork of 16th-century Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo served as inspiration for the look of the three heads in 'Exhaustive Discussion'. Arcimboldo was the mastermind behind a series of elaborate, highly creative paintings of people made of fruits and nature. His work was his way of exploring nature and its relationship to man.

Much like Arcimboldo's love for nature, Svankmajer's appreciation for objects runs quite deep, and they play a huge role in his films. The moving animal bones in Alice (1988), cannibalistic dolls in Jabberwocky (1971), and roaming lounge couches in Picnic with Weismann (1968) are just a few examples. Svankmajer is all about bringing out the inner world of an inanimate object after a human interacts with it.

'Passionate Discussion' would have to be my favorite segment because Svankmajer produces some of his best stop-motion animated scenes here. The moment the couple comes together is undeniably romantic, and the animation is fluid and appropriately sensual enough for viewers. However, it is the most heartbreaking compared to the other tales. A couple is torn apart over an unwanted pregnancy. What's worse is that the film depicts both people not wanting to care for the baby. While we can see the effects of communication failures on a world stage and turn a blind eye at times, the hardest ones to deal with are within our intimate relationships.

Dimensions of Dialogue is a wildly provocative short film that is a must-see out of the surrealist's filmography. Despite its pessimistic outlook on the world, it's filled with just enough comedy to keep audiences interested. Svankmajer's intelligent use of photography tricks and impeccable stop-motion animation will make new viewers interested in seeing more of his work, and longtime fans continue to praise him. Dimensions of Dialogue illustrates the failures of human interaction on both a socio-political and personal level, which will leave you something to think about while having a good laugh.